Work experience programme Review

I really enjoyed the variety of tasks that I was given at Mayer Brown. This included drafting letters, undertaking legal research, proofreading documents and organizing files. It's safe to say it was not all admin! It gave me a really good insight in to the type of work that I might encounter as a trainee solicitor. The associates and partners also took the time to explain to the law behind some of the cases that they were working on, even if there was no work that I could carry out for them, This was both informative and interesting.

I felt that the employees at Mayer Brown who gave me work expressed that they were very grateful. Although it is impossible to give a work experience student a lot of responsibility, I felt that the work that I was given had saved others time. This meant that it was truly appreciated and that they found having an insight student to be helpful instead of a burden.

I was appointed both a trainee mentor and an associate who gave me tasks to undertake, introduced me to the rest of the department and were on hand for any questions that I had. I also had my own desk in the office with one of the partners of the firm. This meant that I experienced all three levels of work: that of a trainee, an associate and a partner. It also meant that there was always someone around to ask any questions to and to ask for extra work.

After undertaking the insight week, I went on to study the LPC. This meant that I already had experience of drafting letters which is one of the skills you learn on the course. In addition, I had gained experience of the filing systems in law firms, how case bundles were maintained and of how solicitors charge their clients. These are all things that I went on to study in the LPC.

The work I undertook was not structured as it would depend on what cases each solicitor had on each day and so could not be predicted. However, the week as a whole was well organized and included a trip of the London courts and undertaking a presentation competition with other work experience students. This meant that I was able to gain an insight in to the firm as a whole and not just the department I was sitting in.

Everyone at Mayer Brown was very friendly and approachable, There was no pressure to stay later than what had been arranged previously and many of the solicitors invited me to have lunch with them. This meant I was not intimidated to ask questions and felt comfortable working at the firm.

The firm gave us IT training and any questions on how to undertake tasks were answered.

It gave me a really good insight in to the type of work the firm receives, the working hours and typical working days of a solicitor in a London firm.

We were given a presentation on the business behind Mayer Brown and the culture could be noted from the attitude of all the employees.

It definitely confirmed my choice to become a solicitor in an international law firm.

Travel and food expenses were reimbursed.

Yes, the firm put on a lunch for us to meet employees of the firm and other work experience students.

Employees at the firm seemed keen to meet the work experience students and find out about us. They were also happy to answer any questions about themselves both professionally and personally. Food and drinks were provided.

This was not mentioned specifically in the presentations given to us but there were plenty of opportunities to ask employees about this aspect.

Would definitely recommend this insight as a way to gain legal experience and experience working within a large, city firm. Everyone was friendly and there was no pressure to try to impress anyone.